Here is something for you all to consider.

I'd like you to imagine for a moment that you are sitting down together with one of today's foremost Sibelius interpreters (you can choose who it is - but it must be someone who is alive).

If you could ask just one question to him/her, what would it be?

You know what I would ask about !

Thats a difficult one Andrew, as given the chance I would have scores of questions. I think I would ask any of todays great Sibelian maestro's just what they thought the master was trying to say in his fourth Symphony.--kp

I think I would ask "Why do you perform his music?"

That seems like a simple, almost too simple question, but quite honestly, it seems that not enough coductors perform him. Perhaps they haven't gotten around to it yet, or perhaps they avoid Sibelius like the plague. But it seems only a select few do Sibelius, and even a more select view can be considered "Sibelius specialists" (or a "Sibelian") like Vänksä or Davis.

So, in a world where other composers seem to get more play by various conductors, my question really means "what value do you see in his music to perform it?" "or "why or other conductors wrong when the avoid him?"

I don't think that some conductors are wrong in avoiding Sibelius if they cannot penetrate his unique sound-world. What I do dislike are maestro's who simply ignore one of musics great originals because they cannot be bothered to study the scores. I think that many conductors sense something profound but enigmatic in the music that they are incapable of grasping. In this scenario they are probably wise in steering clear of the music. But I rejoice that so many conductors across the world programme Sibelius regularly. Who wants to listen to Sibelius played by someone who is incapable of reading between the notes.--kp

I dunno what I would ask to whom... I might just ask what is so problematic about the 7th symphony, but that would be very naive of me, really; and besides, it seems to me that most interpreters of the Sibelius 7th let their egos get in the way too much.

So I'll need to think about it.

I would ask (a conductor) how they go about preparing for performances / recording sessions of the complete cycle of Sibelius' symphonies. Do they spread out their study time? Do they jump back and forth between the works? Do they advise the orchestra how to approach the giant task at hand psychologically / emotionally?

I have yet to prepare anything even resembling a task like this, so their advice would be most welcome.